36 WINGS | March/April 2015 WWW.WINGSMAGAZINE.COM
Aviation Outlook 2014-2024” at NBAA 2014 this past Octo-
ber. It noted that, “operators continue to focus on larger-cabin
aircraft classes ranging from super midsize through ultra long-
range and business liner, implying these types of aircraft will
command the bulk of the value billed from now until 2024.”
Bombardier Aerospace, with product offerings that range
from the light category through to the ultra-long range class, is
expecting a rebound amongst the smaller models over the next
two decades. Its “Business Aircraft Market Forecast 2014-2033”
states that during that period, “the large category will generate
a total of 5,250 deliveries, representing 24 per cent of overall
industry unit deliveries.” This would suggest a return to a pro-
duction mix not seen since prior to 2008.
Responding to market demands
In the meantime, the three leading manufacturers of large cabin
corporate jets have listened to their respective customer advi-
sory committees and have been creating new models to meet the
market’s evolving demands. The key criteria driving these new
designs are: larger cabins, greater cruise speeds and increased
range capabilities. The performance and pricing details pro-
vided below are all preliminary.
Bombardier
With almost 700 members of the Global family (including the
Global Express, Global Express XRS, Global 5000 and Global
- having departed the plant in Toronto, Bombardier is
the second largest producer of long-range business jets. The
company is developing two ultra-long range models that are in-
tended to meet the requirements of passengers who have globe-
girdling itineraries.
MODEL: GLOBAL 7000
Highlights:- The largest cabin of any purpose-built corporate jet will pro-
vide four zones. - Maximum range of 7,300 nautical miles (NM) at normal
cruise speed of M.85. That represents a 22 per cent improve-
ment over Bombardier’s current flagship, the Global 6000. - When time is important, it is expected to fly 5,100 NM at its
max. cruise speed of M.90.
Timing: First flight expected in 2016, deliveries that year.
Estimated Price: US$75 million
Competition: Gulfstream G650ER
Observation: The 10 per cent less expensive G650ER will have
a 200 NM greater range than the Global 7000 when cruising at
M.85 and a 1,300 NM advantage when clipping along at M.90.
For those who prefer more space to speed, the Global 7000s
larger four zone cabin may be the feature that will keep current
Global operators within the Bombardier fold when they upgrade.
CORPORATE JET UNIT PRODUCTION
YEAR 2008 % 2009 % 2010A- LARGE 323 28 274 32 305B- VLJ > SMS 830 72 583 68 458TOTAL UNITS 1,153 100 857 100 763Source: General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Washington, D.C.